Father Paul Smith, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish (front row, right), signs a contract next to John Sharp, president of Ventana Construction Corporation, for seismic upgrades to the elementary school April 5. Behind them are Ventana's Bryan Jones (left), Immaculate Conception's Sue Dvorak, and Father Stanley Galvon. (Photos by Agnieszka Krawczynski)
VANCOUVER—The elementary school at Immaculate Conception Parish is about to get a seismic upgrade. Father Paul Smith signed a contract to begin construction at the school April 5.
The Archdiocese of Vancouver released a report in 2013 revealing which schools and buildings in its jurisdiction were at high, medium, and low risk in case of a large earthquake. Immaculate Conception school and church were at high risk, the old rectory was at medium risk, and the hall, gymnasium, and current rectory were assessed to be at low risk.
Several other schools at high risk, such as Vancouver College or St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary, are also upgrading their buildings.
Construction at Immaculate Conception is expected to begin this summer.
